Latching switch with double solenoid



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United States Patent 3,488,612 LATCHING SWITCH WITH DOUBLE SOLENOID Dale W. Pigeon, Royal Oak, Mich., assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 1, 1968, Ser. No. 702,308 Int. Cl. H0111 3/32 US. Cl. 335187 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A double solenoid actuated switch mechanism includes a pair of contact carrying, leaf spring members which are self-biased to either a closed or open position. The spring members are movable in opposition to their selfbiasing forces by an actuator supported for movement in opposite directions, at least one of the spring members having a ramp portion and the actuator being cooperably engageable with the ramp portion during its movement to cause the contact at the free end of the spring member to roll on the other contact prior to breaking engagement as the contacts are being moved from their closed to their open positions.

The present invention relates to a switch mechanism for use in controlling energization and de-energization of an electric circuit. In particular, the present invention relates to a double solenoid actuated switch mechanism of the general type having a pair of contacts which are biased to either a closed or opened position by resilient leaf spring members or arms and an actuator selectively movable in opposite directions for relatively moving the spring members and contacts carried thereby to one of the positions or for allowing the contacts to be self-biased to the other position.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved switch mechanism of the general type referred to above and which is of a simple and highly practical construction, can be operated from a remote location, and in which the problem of pitting or sticking of the contacts is minimized.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved switch mechanism of the general type referred to above, and in which at least one of the leaf spring members has a ramp portion which is cooperably engageable by the actuator and which is constructed and arranged such that the contacts are caused to roll on each other prior to breaking engagement or upon engaging each other, the rolling action tending to spread the contact area, clean the contacts and break loose any welding therebetween.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved switch mechanism of the general type referred to above, and in which the spring members are self-biased toward each other and a pair of outer, stiffer leaf spring members are provided for further biasing the first pair of spring members toward each other, and in which the actuator moves between the inner spring members and first biases the inner spring members outwardly to cause the contacts to roll on each other until the inner members bottom against the outer spring members whereupon further movement of the actuator moves both pairs of spring members simultaneously outwardly away from each other to break the engagement between the contacts.

The present invention further resides in various novel constructions and arrangements of parts, and further objects, novel characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates and from the following detailed descrip- 3,488,612 Patented Jan. 6, 1970 tion of the illustrated embodiments thereof made with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is an axial or longitudinal cross-sectional view, with portions shown in elevation, of a preferred embodiment of the novel switch mechanism of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary view similar to that shown in FIGURE 1, but with certain parts thereof shown in different positions;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken approximately along line 3-3 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view, with portions shown in elevation, of another embodiment of the novel switch mechanism of the present invention.

The present invention provides novel solenoid actuated switch mechanisms for use in controlling energization and deenergization of an electric circuit. Although the novel switch mechanisms could be used in various applications wherein it is desired to control energization and de-energization of an electric circuit, they are particularly useful as a master control switch for controlling operation of power operated door locking devices in an electrically controlled door locking and unlocking system, such as that disclosed in US. application Ser. No. 508,904, filed Nov. 22, 1965, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention, and for the purposes of illustration will be described as being used for this purpose.

As representing a preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIGURE 1 of the drawing shows a double solenoid actuated switch mechanism 10. The switch mechanism 10 comprises, in general, a switch housing 12, a pair of spaced, resilient, leaf spring members or arms 14 and 16 carried by the housing 12 and which bias contacts 14a and 16a carrier thereby toward engagement with each other to complete a conductive path through the spring members 14 and 16, a movable actuator 20 which is selectively movable between a first position, as shown in FIGURE 1, in which it allows the spring members 14 and 16 to bias the contacts 14a and 16a into engagement with each other and a second position, as shown in FIGURE 2, in which it holds the spring members 14 and 16 outwardly away from each other to break the connection between the contacts 14a and 16a, and a pair of solenoids 22 and 24 which are selectively energizable for effecting movement of the actuator 20 in opposite directions between its first and second positions.

The housing 12, in the illustrated embodiment, is a metal cylindrical tube. Press fitted within the left end of the housing 12, as viewed in FIGURE 1, is a plastic cup-shaped support member 26 whose bottom wall 26a extends transversely of the housing 12 intermediate the opposite ends of the latter. The housing 12 is provided with an annular, radially inwardly extending depression 28 against which the bottom wall 26a abuts to position the cup-shaped member 26 axially within the housing 12. The housing 12 is also provided with an end closure 30 at its left end, the end closure 30 being retained in abutting engagement with the left end of the cup-shaped member 26 as a result of the left end of the housing 12 being peened radially inwardly, as indicated by reference numeral 31. The cup-shaped member 26 and the end closure 30 define a substantially enclosed chamber or compartment 32 in which the spring members 14 and 16 are disposed.

The spring members 14 and 16 are generally L-shaped and each have one leg or end portion rigidly secured to the bottom wall 26a of the cup-shaped support member 26 by a suitable rivet 36. The other legs or free end portions of the spring members 14 and 16 extend generally longitudinally of the housing 12. The spring members 14 and 16 are in the form of fiat, thin, resilient members and are self-biased toward each other to bias the contacts 14a and 16a respectively carried at their free ends into engagement with each other. The spring members 14 and 16 are respectively connected with a pair of lead wires or conductors 40 and 41, the lead wires 40 and 41 being connected to respective ones of the rivets 36 and extending through suitable openings 42 and 43 in the end closure 30. The free end portions of the spring members 14 and 16 are stepped intermediate their ends so as to define ramp sections 14b and 16b and the contacts 14a and 16a are curved or convex, and for reasons which will hereinafter become more fully apparent.

The switch mechanism also includes a pair of outer spring members 50 and 51 for further biasing the contacts 14a and 16a toward each other and which are of stiffer construction so as to exert a greater spring force. The outer spring members 50 and 51 are shaped generally complementary with the inner spring members 14 and 16 and have one leg thereof secured to the bottom wall 26a of the cup-shaped member 26 by the rivets 36 and their free legs overlying and co-extensive with the free legs of the inner spring members 14 and 16. The outer spring members 50 and 51 at their free or left end, as viewed in the FIGURE 1, engage the inner spring members 14 and 16 at their free or left end, but have the remaining portion of their free legs normally spaced outwardly from the free legs of the inner spring members 14 and 16.

When the spring members 14, 16, 50 and 51 are in the position shown in FIGURE 1, the contacts 14a and 16a are biased into engagement with each other to complete a conductive path from lead wire 40 through rivet 36, spring member 14, contact 14a, contact 16a, spring member 14, rivet 36 to lead wire 41. The lead wires 40 and 41 in turn are adapted to be respectively, electrically connected with a battery (not shown) and the electrically energizable door locking device (not shown), the latter device in turn being connected to a suitable ground.

The spring arms 14 and 50 and 16 and 51 are movable outwardly away from each other in opposition to their self-biasing forces to break the engagement between the contacts 14a and 16a in response to movement of the actuator 20 in a leftward direction from its position, as shown in FIGURE 1, to its position, as shown in FIG- URE 2. The actuator 20 is linearly movable and comprises a head 20a rigidly connected to one end of an intermediate rod 20b and a cylindrical core 200 rigidly connected to the rod at its other end. The head 20a is of a rectangular cross-sectional shape and has a tapered leading end 56. As viewed in FIGURE 1, the thickness or height of the head 20a is less than the spacing between the spring members 14 and 16 to the right of the ramp sections 1411 and 16b, but is greater than the spacing between the spring members 14 and 16 to the left of the ramp sections.

The actuator 20 is movable from its first toward its second position and vice versa in response to energization of the solenoids 22 and 24, respectively. The solenoids 22 and 24 are arranged end to end within the housing 12 and comprise annular coils 22a and 24a contained within plastic annular sleeves 22b and 24b, respectively. The solenoids also have a common annular pole piece 60 intermediate their adjacent ends and end pole pieces 61 and 62 adjacent their left end and right ends, respectively, as viewed in FIGURE 1. The pole piece 62 provides an end closure for the housing 12 and is held in place against the sleeve 24b by peening the right end of the housing 12 radially inwardly.

The core 200 of the actuator 20 is a common core for both of the solenoid coils 22a and 24a. The core 200 is made from a suitable magnetizable material, such as iron, and is slidably supported within the annular sleeves 22b and 24b and extends through an aligned opening 65 in the common pole piece 60. The rod 20b of the actuator 20 extends through aligned openings 66 and 67 in th po e piece 61 and the bottom 26a of the cup-shaped member 26, respectively.

When it is desired to move the actuator 20 toward the left, solenoid coil 22a is energized which draws the core 20c toward the left, and in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. When it is desired to move the actuator 20 toward the right, the solenoid coil 24a is energized which draws the core member toward the right. Energization and de-energization of the solenoid coils 22a and 24a is adapted to be controlled via suitable remote switches electrically connected therewith and with a power source, such as a battery.

From the foregoing, it should be apparent that the contacts 14a and 16a are movable from their closed position to their open position to break the electric circuit by energizing solenoid 22 which causes the actuator 20 to be moved in a leftward direction from its position shown in FIGURE 1 toward its position shown in FIGURE 2. As the actuator 20 is moved in the leftward direction the upper and lower sides of the tapered leading end 56 engage the ramp sections 14b and 16b of the spring members 14 and 16 and cause the latter to be deflected outwardly from each other in opposition to their self-biasing forces. As the spring members 14 and 16 are being deflected outwardly away from each other the contacts 14a and 16a will roll on each other, since the outer stiffer spring members 50 and 51 will prevent the outer free ends of the inner spring members 14 and 16 from moving away from each other. This movement continues until the inner spring members 14 and 16 engage or bottom against the outer stiffer spring members 50 and 51. Further movement of the actuator toward the left upon the inner members 14 and 16 bottoming against the outer spring members 50 and 51 causes both the inner and outer spring members to be simultaneously moved outwardly away from each other in opposition to their self-biasing forces to break the contact between the contacts 14a and 16a and hence, the electric circuit.

The contacts 14a and 16a are movable from their open position toward their closed position by energizing solenoid 24 which causes the actuator 20 to be moved in a rightward direction from its position shown in FIGURE 2 toward its position shown in FIGURE 1. As the actuator is moved toward the right the self-biasing forces of the spring members 14 and 50 and 16 and 51 effect a reversal of the previously described movements and cause the contacts to be moved into engagement with each other to complete the electric circuit.

The advantages of the novel switch mechanism 10 is that the contacts 14a and 16a are caused to roll on each other prior to being moved apart from and into engagement with each other. This rolling action tends to spread the contact area, clean the contacts due to the frictional rolling engagement and break loose any welding or sticking of the contacts. This results in longer switch life and in a more reliable switching action. Also, the novel switch mechanism 10 is substantially sealed from the ambient atmosphere.

The actuator 20 is also adapted to be restrained against movement by the spring members 14 and 16 when moved to either its first position as shown in FIGURE 1 or its second position as shown in FIGURE 2. To this end, the ramp sections 14b and 16b resist any leftward movement of the actuator when in its first position, as shown in FIGURE 1. When in its second position, as shown in FIGURE 2, the actuator 20 is restrained against movement as a result of a pair of inwardly extending detents 70 on the spring members 14 and 16 being received within a pair of transverse grooves or depressions 71 in the head 20a of the actuator. As a result of these provisions, the actuator 20 can only be moved when the respective solenoid 22 or 24 is energized.

As representing another embodiment of the present invention, FIGURE 4 of the drawings shows a switch mechanism 100. The switch mechanism 100 comprises a metal cup-shaped housing 101 and a base member 102 secured to the wall of the housing 101 adjacent its open end. The switch mechanism further includes a pair of curved or convex contacts 105 and 106 carried at the free or upper end of spaced, resilient, leaf spring 'members 107 and 108, respectively. The spring members 107 and 108 at their other end being secured by rivets 109 and 110 to an electrically insulated support plate 112 carried by the base member 102. The leaf spring members 107 and 108 are self-biased toward the solid line position shown in FIGURE 4 in which the contacts 105 and 106 are spaced from each other.

The contacts 105 and 106 are movable from their open position, as shown by the solid lines in FIGURE 4, to their closed position, as shown by the phantom lines in FIGURE 4, in response to relatively moving the spring members 107 and 108 toward each other in opposition to their self-biasing forces.

Movement of the contacts 105 and 106 and the spring members 107 and 108 between their solid and phantom line positions, as shown in FIGURE 4, is effected by moving an actuator 120. The actuator 120 comprises a plastic electrically insulated portion 120a and a metal portion 12% and is pivotally supported in see-saw fashion intermediate its ends on a transverse supported member or fulcrum 122 carried by the base member 102. The actuator 120 at the left end of the plastic portion 120a engages a ramp means or section 124 on the resilient spring member 108 and the actuator 120 is movable between a first position, as shown in the solid lines in FIGURE 4, in which it permits the self-biasing forces of the spring members 107 and 108 to move the contacts 105 and 106 to their open position and a second position, as shown by the phantom lines in FIGURE 4, in which it holds the spring members 107 and 108 in a deflected condition and the contacts 105 and 106 in their closed position.

The actuator 120 is movable from its solid line position to its phantom line position and vice versa in response to energization of solenoids 130 and 132, respectively. The solenoids 130 and 132 are disposed on Opposite sides of the fulcrum 122, which is the point about which the actuator 120 pivots, and respectively include inner cores 130a and 132a and surrounding coils 130b and 132k. Energization and de-energization of each of the solenoid coils 13% and 132b is adapted to be selectively controlled by suitable remote switches electrically connected therewith and with a power source, such as a battery.

Movement of the contacts from their open position to their closed position is eifected by energizing the solenoid coil 130b of the solenoid 130. Energization of the solenoid coil 13012 magnetizes the core 130a which in turn draws the actuator 120 theretoward from its solid line position toward its phantom line position, as shown in FIGURE 4. Movement of the actuator 120 toward the solenoid 130 causes the left end of the plastic portion 120a of the actuator 120 to engage the ramp means 124, which is disposed within the path of movement of the actuator, and the spring member 108 to be deflected toward the spring member 107. The ramp means comprises a reversely bent, generally L-shaped intermediate section of the spring member 108 and with the legs 124a and 124b of the generally L-shaped ramp section being skewed with respect to the plane of the sections of the spring member 108 contiguous therewith.

As the contact 106 is moved into engagement with the contact 105, it slides relative to and rolls on the contact 105 as a result of the engagement between the actuator 120 and the upper leg 124a of the ramp section 124 until the left end of the plastic portion 120a of the actuator 120 is positioned in its phantom line position beneath the lower leg 124b of section 124. When in this latter position the spring member 107 is also deflected so as to provide a spring pressure to bias the contacts and 106 into engagement with each other. When the contacts 105 and 106 are closed, a conductive path is provided through the contacts and spring members to energize an electrically energizable door locking device (not shown), the device being electrically connected to the spring member 108 through rivet 110 and terminal 140 and to a suitable ground. The spring memher 107 is electrically connected through rivet 109 and terminal 141 to the battery (not shown).

To move the contacts 105 and 106 from their closed position to their open position, solenoid 132 is energized to cause the actuator to be moved there toward from its phantom line position to its solid line position. As the actuator 120 is moved toward the solenoid 132, the left end of the portion 120a engages the lower leg 124b of the ramp section 124 to cause the upper end of the spring arm 108 to be deflected to cause the contacts 105 and 106 to slide relative to and roll on one another until the actuator 120 engages the upper leg 124a of the ramp section 124. When the actuator 120 is in its solid line position, the self-biasing forces of the spring members 107 and 108 move the contacts 105 and 106 to their open position.

The rolling sliding and action produced between the contacts 105 and 106 when moved into and out of engagement with each other provides the same advantages as previously described in connection with the switch mechanism 10. Also, it should be noted that the legs 124a and 124b of the ramp section 124 hold the actuator in either of the positions in which it is moved due to the cooperative engagement therebetween.

Although the illustrated embodiments hereof have been described in great detail, it should be apparent that certain modifications, changes, and adaptations may be made in the illustrated embodiments, and that it is intended to cover all such modifications, changes and adaptations which come within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A switch mechanism for use in controlling energization and de-energization of an electric circuit comprising: a. switch housing; first and second space inner resilient members carried by said housing and each having a free end and an end which is adapted to be connected with a conductor, said first and second inner members each carrying a substantially curved contact at its free end and being relatively movable between a first position in which said contacts are in engagement with each other to provide a conductive path from one member to the other and a second position in which said contacts are spaced from each other to break the conductive path through said members, a pair of outer resilient members carried by said switch housing and which are stilier than said inner members, said outer members having their free ends engageable with the free ends of said inner members and with the remaining portions of said outer members overlying, but spaced slightly from said inner members, said outer members cooperating with said inner members to self-bias the latter toward said first position, an actuator supported for movement in opposite directions between first and second positions, said actuator being movable between said pairs of members and when moved in one direction cooperably engaging a ramp means on said inner members to cause said inner members only to be deflected outwardly so that the substantially curved contacts roll on one another until said inner members bottom against said outer members whereupon said inner and outer members are caused to be deflected outwardly together as a unit to move the contacts from their first position toward their second position, said actuator when moved in the opposite direction allowing said pairs of members to move said contacts toward said one position, and means for moving said actuator in opposite directions between its first and second positions.

2. A switch mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said pairs of members are leaf springs having a stepped free end portion to define said ramp means and wherein said actuator and said inner members have cooperably engageable portions for holding said actuator in either of its first or second positions.

3. A switch mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for moving the actuator includes first and second olenoids arranged end to end within said housing and wherein said actuator includes a magnetizable core which is common to both and slidably received within said solenoids.

4. A switch mechanism for use in controlling energization and de-energization of an electric circuit comprising: a switch housing; first and second spaced inner leaf spring members carried by said housing and each having a free end and an end which is adapted to be connected with a conductor, said first and second inner leaf spring members each having a substantially curved contact surface at its free end and being relatively movable between a first position in which said contact surfaces are in engagement with each other to provide a conductive path from one of the inner leaf spring members to the other and a second position in which said contact surfaces are spaced from each other to break the conductive path through said inner leaf spring members, a pair of outer resilient leaf spring members carried by said switch housing and which are stiffer than said inner leaf spring members, said outer leaf spring members having their free ends engageable with the free ends of said inner leaf spring members and with the remaining portions of said outer leaf spring members overlying, but spaced slightly from said inner leaf spring members, said outer leaf spring members cooperating with said inner leaf spring members to self-bias the latter toward said first position, an actuator supported for movement in opposite directions between first and second positions, said actuator including at least a head portion made from an electrically insulated material and having a tapered leading end, said inner leaf spring members being stepped to define a transversely extending ramp surface intermediate its ends, said actuator being movable between said pairs of leaf spring members and when moved in one direction cooperably engaging said ramp surfaces on said inner leaf spring member to cause said inner leaf spring members only to be defiected outwardly so that the substantially curved contact surfaces roll on one another until said inner leaf spring members bottom against said outer leaf spring members whereupon said inner and outer leaf spring members are caused to be deflected outwardly together to move the contacts from their first position towards their second position, said actuator when moved in the opposite direction allowing said pairs of leaf spring members to move in the reverse direction toward said one position, and means for moving said actuator in opposite directions between its first and second positions.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,133,963 3/1915 Hoover.

1,169,099 1/1916 Wilcox et al.

1,214,771 2/1917 Fortier.

1,938,405 12/1933 Tamsitt 335187 2,215,319 9/1940 Brown.

2,549,532 4/1951 Seaman.

2,704,838 3/1955 Macha.

2,916,566 12/1959 Meyer.

3,201,556 8/1965 Baird.

BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner H. BROOME, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 200153, 166

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3v488'612 Dated January 23, 121;)

Inventor(s) Dale W. Pigeon It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

[- Column 2, line 25, "Ser. No. 508,904" should read Ser. No. 508,894, now Patent No. 3,386,761 line 35, "carrier" should read carried SIGNED AND SEALED JUN 2 31970 fiEAL Attem- Edward M. Fletcher, Ir.

mm E. sammm. JR. Attesung Officer Gomissioner of Patents 

